Electric switch



J. J. WOOD.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1920.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

. Inventor James J.Wo0 b5 Mam His JI'LLorneg.

UNITED STATES PATEN OFFICE- JAMES J. WOOD, 015 FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

To all whom it may concern? Be it known that I, J AM-ES J. WooD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Wayne, in. the county of Allen, State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to electric switches such as are used to make and break electric circuits and has for its object to provide an improved structure and arrangement in a switch of this character.

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the following description, and the claims appended thereto.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a face view of a switch embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a side view thereof, and Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views illustrating the structure and operation.

Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates a base plate at one edge of which are mounted two pairs of spring contacts 7 and 8, the same being located preferably on the are of a circle, at the center of which is located a switch stud 9. Such center in the present instance-falls adjacent the edge of the base plateopposite to that at which contacts 7 and 8 are located, and stud 9 is fixed in an opening in the base plate at this point. Mounted on base plate 5 is a star wheel segment 10, the center of the arc of which falls at stud 9 so star wheel segment 10 is concentric with contacts 7 and 8. Preferably the star wheel is provided with an opening at the center of its are through which stud 9 passes as this forms an easy and convenient means for locating the star wheel segment, and it is fixed from turning on the base by a suitable anchoring means such as a lug on the segment engaging arecess in the base.

The star wheel has a number of notches 11, there being stops 12 provided in connection with the two final ones. Pivotally mounted on stud '9 is a switch blade 13, having contacts 13 on its under side adapted to engage contacts 7 and 8. At 13 are lead wire clamps for contacts 13*. Pivoted on switch blade 13 on opposite sides thereof are two pawls 14 and 15 which ride in notches 11 of the star wheel segment, the pawls being pressed into such notches by a suitable spring means 16. In the present instance a single spring is shown having its central portion coiled Specification of Letters Patent. Pate t d No 30 1920 Application filed March 23, 1920.

Serial No. 368,181.

project up into the path of movement of the cam plate. Cam plate 22 has an opening at one end through which stud 9 extends, being thereby pivoted on such' stud, and is provided with a lug 24 which fits into a recess in lever 21 to cause the cam plate to turn with the lever. Cam plate 22 is provided with two oppositely extending arms 25 and 26 having down turned lugs 27 at their ends which are located adjacent to and just beyond lugs 19 and 20. Associated with cam plate 22 and switch blade 13 is an operating spring means which in the present instance is shown as being formed from one continuous piece of spring wire which at its center is coiled around stud 9 with its two ends 28 and 29 engaging'lu 's 27 and. lying between lugs 19 and 20. On top of lever21is a clamp 30 for the leads for holding them mechanically. The various parts are held on switch stud 9 by a suitable nut 31. The operation is as follows :VVhen the switch lever 21 stands in the position shown in Fig. 1, the various parts are in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 4t and the switch is open. It may be closed on' either contacts 7 or 8 by amovement of switch lever 21 to the left or right. If switch=lever 21 is moved toward the right for example, cam plate 22 will turn with it and In 27 on arm 25 will engage spring end 28. t the same time lug 27 on arm 26 will move away from spring end 29 which will thenengage lu 20 on switch blade 13, which blade is he (1 from 'with pin 18 onpawl 15 acting to push the pawl from engagement with the notch 11 in which it rests. The position of the parts just before pawl 15 is entirely disengaged pawl 15 is pushed entirely out of notch 11,

i switch blade 13 will be quickly snapped by the actuating spring toward the right bringing contacts 13 into engagement with con tacts.8, pawl. 15 dropping into the next notch 11 since the movement of the switch blade 13 moves pin 18 away from cam surface 23. Also pawl 14 will be pulled into the notch 11 next adjacent to the one in which it before rested. To open the switch again, switch lever 21 is moved toward the left the operation being the same as in closing except in the opposite direction. To close the switch on contacts 7,' switch lever'. 21 is moved toward the left from the open position as'shown in Fig. 1, the operation being the same as that when moving it to the left to open the switch after it has been closed on contacts 8. It will be seen that if the switch is closed on contacts 7, form;- ample, and it is desired to close it on contacts-8, this can be quickly done by a continuous movement of switch lever 21 toward the right which will thereby give two step by step movements to switch blade 13. in bringing it from contacts 7 to 'contacts 8. And switch blade 13 can be in a similar manner quickly returned to engagement with contacts 7 by a continuous movement of switch lever 21 toward the left.

It will be noted that lugs 19 and 20 on switch blade 13 liein the path of movement of cam plate 22. As a result, should switch blade 13 stick for any reason, and fail to be moved by the operatin spring when the holding pawl is release then cam plate '22 will engage lug 19 or 20 (dependin on the direction of movement) and positive y move the switch blade, or start it into movement When the operating spring willof course come into play to quickly complete "themovement. By this means; it: will be seen, there is no danger of the switch becoming stuck and failing to operate when the switch lever is turned.

As is obvious, a switch structure as described is capable of being used in connection with more than two pairs of contacts 7 and 8 by simply providin additional contacts on the arc oi thecirce on which contacts 7 and 8 are located and providing additional notches inthe star wheel segment. And with a complete star wheel the switch blade 13 can be given a complete movement through 360 in either directiom With such an arrangement contacts can be provided on such stops as is found desirable.

A switch as shown in the drawing is well adapted for a reversing switch for use, for example, in connection with a motor for reversin its direction of operation, but it may be used for any purpose to which it is found ap licable.

t will be seen that my improved switchple of operation of my invention,'together patent statutes, I have described the princi-v with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other -.means. p I I What I claim as new and ,des1re to secure by Letters Patent of the. United States,is -1. In a switch, a base,- contacts thereon which are spaced around an arcof a circle, -a stud atthe center of said arc, a switch blade and a switch lever on said stud, a member having locking notches, pawls pivoted on said switch blade and engaging said notches for positively locking the switch blade against movement, an actuating spring means for the. switch blade, and means can.

ried by the switch lever for storing up power in said spring means and releasing said pawls.

2. In a switch, a base, contacts thereon which are spaced around an arc of a circle,

a stud 'at'the center of said arc, a star wheel .fixed'to-the base concentric with said stud, a

switch blade and a switch lever on said stud said switch blade havingcontacts adapted toengage said first named contacts, adjacent lugs carried by said blade and lever, an operating spring coiled around said stud with its endsbetween said lugs, pawls carried by said switch blade and engaging said 'star wheel, and means carried by said switch lever for releasing said pawls 3. In a switch, a base, contacts thereon which are spaced around an arc of a circle, a stud at the center of said are, a star wheel fixed to the base concentric with said stud, a switch blade and a switch lever mounted on said stud'directly over each other, pawls carried by said-switch blade and, engaging said star wheel, an operating spring coiled around said stud between the switch blade and switch lever, lugs carried by opposite.

which power is stored by a movement of said switch lever in either direction, and means operated by movement of said switch lever for releasing said pawls.

5. In a switch, a base, a plurality of spaced contacts thereon, a stud on the base, a star wheel segment fixed on the base adjacent said stud, a switch blade and a switch lever on said stud, pawls carried by said switch blade and engaging said star wheel segment, means carried by said switch lever for releasing said pawls, and an operating spring for the switch blade in which power is stored by movement of the switch lever.

6. In a ,switch, a base, spaced contacts thereon, a pivot stud, a switch blade and a switch lever on said stud, locking means for positively locking the switch blade, an actuating spring for the switch blade in which power is stored by a movement of the switch lever in either a clockwise oranti-clockwise direction, and means operated by the switch lever for releasing said locking means.

7. In a switch, a base, spaced contacts thereon, a pivot stud, a switch blade and a switch lever on said stud, locking means for the switch blade, an actuating spring for the switch blade in which power is stored by a movement of the switch lever in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, means operated by the switch lever for releasing said locking means, and positive means actuated by the switch lever for moving said swltch blade in casethe actuating spring "proves insuflicient to move it.

8. In a switch, a base, a plurality of spaced contacts thereon, a stud on the base, a star wheel segment fixed on the base adjacent said stud, a switch blade and a switch lever on said stud, pawls carried by said switch blade and engaging said star wheel segment, means carried by said switch lever for releasing said pawls, an operating spring for the switch blade in which power is stored'by movement of the switch lever, and engaging means betwen the switch blade and the switch lever whereby the Switch blade can be positively moved by said switch lever.

9. In a switch, a base. spaced contacts thereon, a switch blade pivoted on said base having contacts adapted to engage said spaced contacts, an operating spring for said switch blade, alocking means for said switch blade, a cam plate for storing up energy in said operating spring and for releasing said locking means when said cam plate is moved in either direction, said cam plate being adapted to engage the switch blade to positively move it, and a switch lever for moving said cam plates.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 19 day of March 1920.

. JAMES J. WOOD. 

